England’s Red Roses End USA’s Five-Game Run with a Dominant WXV Victory

In the latest leg of the WXV Global Series, England’s women’s rugby side (the Red Roses) defeated the United States (the Eagles) to preserve a 35-year unbeaten record against their North American rivals. The Red Roses entered the match after a loss to Canada, while the Eagles arrived on a five-match winning streak that included victories over Wales and Ireland. England built an early lead and finished with a comfortable margin, extending their own unbeaten run heading into the new year.

The Guardian

Claudia Moloney-MacDonald delivered a standout performance, scoring four tries—including two in quick succession before halftime—to spearhead England’s attack. Front-row forward Maud Muir contributed a series of dominant carries that helped the Red Roses maintain forward momentum. Captain Meg Jones, who has started every England match in 2026, added a try that reinforced the lead at the break.

The Guardian

For the United States, veteran full-back Hope Rogers, the nation’s cap record holder, crossed the line to close in on the American women’s all-time points record, narrowing the gap to four points. Alev Kelter’s powerful hit on Jones generated a brief surge for the Eagles, but England’s defense held firm. Gloucester-Hartpury wing Mia Venner also impressed, prompting head coach John Mitchell to note that her form could create a selection dilemma for the 2027 campaign.

The Guardian

• England’s winning streak against the USA now stands at 22 consecutive matches, the last loss dating back to the 1991 Rugby World Cup.

The Guardian

• Moloney-MacDonald’s four tries accounted for a significant portion of England’s points tally.

The Guardian

• The match was played at the 25,000-capacity Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey; official attendance was not released, and many seats remained empty.

The Guardian

The victory restores England’s confidence after earlier setbacks and positions the Red Roses for a strong showing in the upcoming Women’s Six Nations, which begins in April. For the United States, the loss concludes their calendar-year campaign, and the team will look to regroup ahead of the 2027 Pacific Four tournament. Both sides demonstrated depth in their squads, suggesting a competitive landscape beyond the traditional top three nations in women’s rugby.

The Guardian